How to Keep Dirt Out of Your Tent

By the Gear Guy

Q. I hate when the inside of my tent gets filthy. I always track in dirt from my boots. Any tips for keeping it cleaner?— Allen, Fayetteville, Arkansas

A. I’m with you, Allen. Some people don’t mind sleeping in a dirty tent, but I like to keep mine tidy, too. After all, a Scout is clean, right? I usually take off my hiking boots — and any outer layers — before getting in my tent. That way, I don’t introduce trail dust into an otherwise clean area.

Gear wise, you could try the Adventure Mat ($30), a grippy, easy-to-clean pad that works a bit like a doormat. Place it outside of your tent to stomp off any unwanted muck. It folds up to a 7-inch square.

I use astro turf carpet. Very light and thin, cut to fit the floor of the tent. Available at most home improvement centers. Golf it inside tent after use, take it out and shake it clean. Floor in tent stays clean.

a lightweight folding mat for backpacking is great, though I usually just use a trash bag. For front country camping I have some carpet samples that I got for free from a flooring store. I place one outside in the vestibule and the other just inside the tent door. Works great!